How to Make a Decorative Mask with Plaster

Mask making is relatively easy and a fun project to do with children. Making a plaster mask is best done with adult supervision. Colorful paint and embellishments can be added to make a mask individual and interesting. Here is how to make a plaster mask.

Things You'll Need

• Plaster bandages
• Fine sandpaper
• Petroleum jelly
• Shallow dish or pan for water
• A large-bore plastic drinking straw cut into 3-inch lengths
• Old newspapers and paper towels
• Apron or old shirt to protect clothing
• Cord or ribbon to use for ties
• Varnish, glue
• Decorations such as paints, feathers, beads, yarn and other whimsical objects

Instructions

Prepare the Mask

1. Spread petroleum jelly on the face of the subject. Be particularly careful around the eyebrow and eyelash area and hairline. Coat these areas well.

2. Insert a piece of the plastic drinking straw gently into each of the model's nostrils. This will serve as breathing tubes while the plaster strips are being placed on the face.

3. Dip strips of plaster bandages into water and gently squeeze out excess. Begin by covering the bridge of the nose and working from there to cover the entire face. Be careful not to go too far under the chin because it will make the mask harder to remove.

4. Smooth rough edges with wet finger tips, blending the bandages together seamlessly.

5. Let the bandages harden for about 10 minutes before trying to take the mask off the face.

6. Encourage the model to wiggle his face, scrunch his cheeks, frown, smile, scowl, lift his eyebrows and do any other movements that will help loosen and release the mask when he feels it starting to dry.

Remove and Complete the Mask

1. Remove the mask by carefully lifting the edges. The plaster won't be firm yet, so place it on a flat surface and use crumpled newspapers and paper towels to cushion and support the mask until it is thoroughly dry.

2. Smooth rough edges at the eye and lip openings by applying additional plaster. Also use more plaster to strengthen the edges of the mask and while the plaster is still wet, use an ice pick to make holes for the ties. Poke holes about 1 inch in from the edge on each side at eye level. Attach ribbon or cord.

3. Set the mask aside to let it dry completely. When totally dry, sand with fine sandpaper to create an interesting surface, then coat with varnish to prevent the paint from seeping into the plaster.

4. Decorate the mask with paint and embellish it with peacock or other feathers, yarns, beads, hair, false eyelashes, leaves, grasses, dried flowers or other unusual objects to add interest.